Use of plant staff to assist with official controls in poultry slaughterhouses

Thursday 1 September 2005

At the March FSA Open Board meeting, during discussions on the EU Food Hygiene Regulations, a decision as to whether the UK should allow the continued use of plant inspection assistants (PIAs) in poultry slaughterhouses was referred to the MHS Board for consideration (Paper FSA 05/03/03 refers).

This paper reports the outcome of the MHS Board's consideration and informs the FSA Board on transitional measures proposed by the European Commission.

Board Action

The Board is asked to:

• note the outcome of the referral to the MHS Board
• note the Commission's proposed transitional measures for the use of slaughterhouse staff assisting with official controls
• note the FSA's intention to allow slaughterhouse staff to assist with official controls, where they have been trained for the specific tasks they are to carry out

Meat Hygiene and Veterinary Division

Contact:

Rosalind Glover
Tel: 020-7276 8320 (GTN 276 8320)
Email: rosalind.glover@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Adrian Dally
Tel: 020-7276 8340 (GTN 276 8340)
Email: adrian.dally@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk